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Edvald takes fifth in Germany

Edvald Boasson Hagen sprinted to fifth place at the Vattenfall Cyclassics after Arnaud Demare had sealed a hard-fought victory in Germany.

Defending champion Boasson Hagen latched onto Mark Renshaw's wheel as the 217km effort reached its conclusion, and despite rounding the Rabobank rider on the closing straight, he couldn't haul back D?re (FDJ) as the under-23 world champion edged out Andr?reipel (Lotto) and Giacomo Nizzolo (RadioShack) at the line.

The race had taken place in sweltering conditions, with temperatures rising to a balmy 37 degrees centigrade, but that didn't stop Team Sky being active throughout the day.

Alex Dowsett and Bernhard Eisel kept a close eye on proceedings when a three-man break went clear early on, and were still on the front when that trio was caught on the first of four ascents up the punchy Waseberg.

Jeremy Hunt and Luke Rowe then marshalled the troops as a seven-man group temporarily went up the road, and Christian Knees infiltrated a dangerous move including many of the big-name favourites inside the final 30km.

That wasn't allowed to stick, and after numerous subsequent attacks, it was Team Sky who brought everything back together as the race reached its conclusion.

Eisel guided Boasson Hagen into contention as the peloton swept into Hamburg, but it was D?re who would take the plaudits after kicking clear early and holding off the pursuit of his higher-profile rivals.